News

Role of local scientists in global climate change report a testament to quality and collaboration

IMAS researchers are among five Tasmanian-based scientists selected to participate in the Sixth Assessment Report (AR6) of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).

The IPCC is the world’s leading body for assessing science related to climate change.

More than 720 authors from 90 countries will contribute to the organisation’s sixth assessment since it was established by the United Nations in 1988. The five Tasmanian scientists are among just 20 lead authors from Australia.

“The selection of five Tasmanian-based scientists, all with research links to the University of Tasmania, to contribute to the IPCC’s next report, is a wonderful achievement and testament to the quality and depth of the local scientific community,” University Vice-Chancellor Professor Rufus Black said.

“We share a sense of pride in the individuals involved, as well as the research organisations based in Tasmania, which provide the support and infrastructure which enables us to consider some of the biggest questions of our time.”

In addition, IMAS Professor Nathan Bindoff and AAD and ACE CRC researcher Dr Jess Melbourne-Thomas were last year selected by the IPCC to be part of the author team for its Special Report on the Ocean and Cryosphere in a Changing Climate.

IMAS interim Executive Director Professor Chris Carter said: “Research of this quality has been made possible by the strong collaboration between the University, CSIRO, and the Australian Antarctic Division, and the joint research they support through the Antarctic Climate & Ecosystems Cooperative Research Centre (ACE CRC) and the Australian Research Council Antarctic Gateway Partnership.

“Today’s IPCC announcement is further evidence of the outstanding achievements of our local research partnerships in marine and Antarctic science.”